LINCOLN, Neb. — In its first road game of the 2024-25 season, Indiana men’s basketball fell 85-68 at Nebraska. Here’s why Indiana (8-3, 1-1 Big Ten) fell at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday night.
Hoosiers take 3s, but at what cost?
Indiana attempted a season-high 35 3-pointers against Nebraska. As questions surrounding Indiana’s lack of 3-point volume surrounded this team, it fired away against a Nebraska defense that’s susceptible to giving up looks from deep.
The problem? IU made just eight of those 35 3s (23%). After making five of their first eight looks from deep, the Hoosiers made just three of their following 27 3s.
Meanwhile, Nebraska shut off the lane for this IU team that typically feasts near the basket. The Hoosiers had 24 points in the paint to Nebraska’s 36. IU’s starting big man duo of Malik Reneau and Oumar Ballo — who entered Friday combining to average 28.7 points per game — combined for just 20 points on Friday.
While IU should probably take more than the 17 3s per game it attempted coming into Friday, it shouldn’t be a team that takes over half its shots from beyond the arc. The 35 3-point attempts were the most IU has taken in Mike Woodson’s four seasons as head coach.
The Hoosiers got good looks from good shooters that didn’t fall, but this team’s bread and butter still needs to be in the paint.
IU can’t contain Brice Williams
Nebraska forward Brice Williams dropped a season-high 30 points in the defeat on Friday. The Hoosiers had no answer for the 6-7 Williams, who was too skilled and too athletic for Indiana to keep up with.
Indiana’s ability to keep up with skilled forwards will be paramount going forward. Minnesota forward Dawson Garcia dropped 22 points in the Hoosiers’ 82-67 win on Monday, and now Williams had a similar performance.
Indiana has to find an answer for long, skilled forwards for the rest of Big Ten play.
Myles Rice shines
Indiana’s guard play was crucial going into this game against an aggressive Nebraska defense. Myles Rice answered the challenge as he led the Hoosiers with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
Rice made plays at all three levels in Friday’s game. The Washington State transfer looked more comfortable than he had yet in an IU uniform, and the Hoosiers let him go to work with the ball in his hands. After scoring six first-half points, Rice logged 14 points in the second half, including a stretch where he scored 11 straight points for IU in under three minutes.
Rice is IU’s most dynamic ball-handler, although he’s been passive at times this year. On Friday, Rice asserted himself, although it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
